Undergraduate Research & Training

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is proud to offer programs and opportunities for undergraduate students to become involved in research and training activities.

Islands of Opportunity Alliance - LSAMP. The Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) initiative is a consortium of 19 universities and colleges from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific island nations. The "Islands of Opportunity Alliance" addresses obstacles to underrepresented and underserved populations in pursuing STEM fields, and provides opportunities to encourage student success. The goal of the program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is to double the number of minority professionals in STEM careers.

Keaholoa STEM Program. The goal of the Keaholoa STEM Scholars Program (KSP) is to increase enrollment, support, and graduation rates of native Hawaiians and other underrepresented minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines. Throughout its years of existence, Keaholoa has become a program where minority students can engage in scientifically rigorous research that is grounded in indigenous or native cultural practices and knowledge. Funded by the National Science Foundation Tribal Colleges and Universities Program.

Marine Options Program (MOP). This is a University of Hawaiʻi system-wide certificate program, offered on all UH campuses, providing educational opportunities for students from all disciplines who are interested in the ocean. Among other activities, UH Hilo MOP students are trained in wildlife management techniques in an on-going sea turtle research program carried out in cooperation with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service.

Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES). PIPES is a university level project-based internship program housed within the UH Hilo Office of Research. PIPES is committed to increasing the recruitment and retention of local students, especially those of Native Hawaiian ancestry, into fields of study, and ultimately careers, related to the natural resources of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region. PIPES operates as an umbrella program for three internship opportunities and works to coordinate a collaborative program for all participants in the three internship programs each summer.

Students of Hawaiʻi Advanced Research Program (SHARP). Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) and administered through the Department of Anthropology, SHARP supports all under-represented students, and particularly Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders, at UH Hilo to develop interest and competence in biomedical and behavioral sciences research to help them advance to PhD studies

Campus Security

We also encourage you to submit a Silent Witness report if you wish to remain anonymous and it's a non-emergency safety or security concern.

Campus Safety Concerns

The safety of the community and its members is very important to us. If you become aware of a situation that you believe may pose a threat, please submit a Student of Concern form to the UH Hilo Care Team.

Physical Health Resources

If you are having a medical emergency and require immediate assistance, please call 911.

Mental Health Resources

Office hours are 7:45am - 4:30pm, Mondays through Fridays (except holidays). Emergencies or crises are handled as expediently as possible by an available counselor.

If you need assistance on an emergency or crisis basis outside of office hours:

If you would like to talk to someone on a crisis or emergency basis, or if you need assistance, please call the 24/7 Crisis Line of Hawaiʻi at 1-800-753-6879. This number will route you to local crisis mobile outreach services.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255. (Please note: if you call this number from a phone with an out-of-state number, you will be routed to a crisis support center local to that area code.)